Felon Charged In Dog Fighting Ring–For Second Time

CHICAGO (CBS) — A registered sex offender with a long criminal history, including past animal cruelty and other felonies, has been arrested and charged in connection with pit bull fighting and breeding.

Larue Jackson, 52, of the 7100 block of South Oakley in Chicago has been charged with twelve counts of neglect and two counts of cruel treatment.

Cook County sheriff’s police began investigating Jackson based on a tip that he regularly held dogfights in the basement of his home.

Officers executed the search warrant on Jackson’s home with the assistance of the Chicago Police Department’s Animal Crimes Unit.

In the basement, police found 10 pit bulls in wire cages, without food or water, housed in unsanitary conditions. Another two pit bulls were discovered in Jackson’s garage. Many of the dogs had scars on their face, chest and legs, indicative of dog fighting.

One pit bull had fresh fighting wounds on its face. All of the dogs were transported to Chicago Animal Care and Control.

This is the second time Jackson has been arrested on suspicion of dog fighting. His last arrest was in June 2008, when 32 dogs were recovered by Sheriff’s Police.

At that time, Jackson pleaded guilty to animal crimes. Jackson is a registered sex offender and convicted felon with a long criminal history.